Mets' Justin Verlander: Does light throwing Friday
Rotowire
Verlander (shoulder) did some light throwing Friday in Miami, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday after being diagnosed with a low-grade teres major strain, but he has the blessing from team doctors to continue throwing on the side so that he won't require an overly lengthy build-up once he's cleared again for mound work. The veteran ace is scheduled to undergo new imaging tests on his upper right arm late next week to gauge the healing process. There should be a clearer timetable for his Mets debut once those scans are reviewed. Tylor Megill is filling his rotation spot.
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Mets' Justin Verlander: IL required for teres major strain
Rotowire
Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a low-grade teres major strain, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Verlander had been lined up to start the Mets' third regular-season game Saturday in Miami, but now he's at risk of missing much of April. Per an announcement from the club, the veteran right-hander will "continue throwing at moderate intensity" before undergoing new scans of his upper right arm next week. He inked a two-year, $86.67 million contract with New York over the winter. Tylor Megill will fill his spot in the rotation for the time being.
Mets' Justin Verlander: Starting third game of season
Rotowire
Verlander will start the third game of the Mets' season against Miami on April 1, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Starting in the Mets' third game puts Verlander in line to pitch in New York's home opener, which manager Buck Showalter said was the goal. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has been looking like his usual self this spring with a 2.25 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 16 innings.
Verlander gave up two runs on two hits and six walks over 4.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He struck out three.
The 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner came into the game with zero walks in 11.1 spring innings, not to mention 16 strikeouts, so Verlander can probably get a mulligan on this one. The Mets aren't expecting him to repeat last season's incredible 1.75 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, but after handing him a two-year, $87 million contract in the offseason, the team is counting on him to pitch like an ace and hopefully win at least 15 games for the 13th time in his Hall of Fame career.
Verlander gave up only one hit over five scoreless innings while striking out eight in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.
The right-hander fired 51 of 71 pitches for strikes as he continues a dominant spring. Verlander has a dazzling 16:0 K:BB through 11.1 innings in Grapefruit League action, and the 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner appears more than ready for the beginning of the regular season. Mets manager Buck Showalter has yet to announce whether Verlander or Max Scherzer will get the Opening Day start, but there's no wrong answer between the two aces.
